34Synonyms found for give the old college try

Word Origin & History

try c.1300, "examine judiciously, sit in judgment of," from Anglo-Fr. trier (late 13c.), from O.Fr. trier "to pick out, cull" (12c.), from Gallo-Romance *triare, of unknown origin. The ground sense is "separate out (the good) by examination." Meaning "to test" is first recorded mid-14c.; that of "attempt to do" is from early 14c. Sense of "to subject to some strain" (of patience, endurance, etc.) is recorded from 1530s. Trying "distressing" is first attested 1718. Try-out "trial of skill or ability" first recorded 1903. To try (something) on for size in the figurative sense is recorded from 1956.